Blue Flag 2015 is the biggest aerial exercise in the history of the Israeli Air Force.

Kicked off on Oct. 18 and continuing through Nov. 3, the Blue Flag drills gathered to Ovda airbase, near Eilat, in southern Israel, combat planes from the U.S., Poland and Greece involved in a series of missions that saw them fight a fictional enemy through nearly all the airspace over Israel (condensation trails of the aircraft taking place in the exercise could be seen even from Tel Aviv).The Hellenic Air Force took part in the exercise with five F-16C/D Block 52+ jets (from 337 Sq., based at Larissa), the same type of aircraft deployed to Israel by the Polish Air Force. The U.S. Air Force brought to Ovda six F-15C belonging to the 493 FS from RAF Lakenheath, UK. All these assets joined the local squadrons of F-15 Baz, F-16C/D Barak, F-16I Sufa and the about-to-be-retired F-16A Netz aggressors.

Although little more is known about Blue Flag, the IAF has released some cool shots showing the aircraft flying over the Dead Sea and the Negev Desert as well as on the ground at Ovda airbase.

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM) and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $26.9 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 28, 2015.

The Government of Thailand requested a possible sale of Major Defense Equipment for its Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) program. The total estimated value of MDE is $18,570,385. The total overall estimated value is $26,943,445.

Also included with this request is additional equipment; training; and technical services.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by increasing the ability of Thailand to contribute to regional security and improving interoperability with the U.S. Navy.

Thailand will use the ESSM to provide ship battlespace self-defense and firepower, which will improve its capability to meet current and future naval threats.The proposed sale of these equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey for Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 28, 2015.

The Government of Turkey has requested a possible sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits comprised of 400 GBU-31(V)1 for use with Mk84 bombs, 200 GBU-31(V)3 for use with BLU-109 bombs, 300 GBU-38 for use with Mk82 bombs, 100 GBU-54 Laser JDAM kits for use with Mk82 bombs, 200 BLU-109 Hard Target Penetrator Warheads, and1000 FMU-152A/B fuzes. Non-MDE includes containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, integration, test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $70 million.

Turkey is a partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our NATO ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

This sale will enhance the Turkish Air Force’s ability to defend and provides a capability to contribute to future NATO operations. The proven reliability and compatibility of like-systems will foster increased interoperability between NATO and U.S. forces, and expand regional defenses to counter common threats to air, border, and shipping assets in the region. Turkey will have no difficulty absorbing these additional munitions into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be the Raytheon Corporation of Tucson, Arizona. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

The number of U.S. government and contractor representatives to support this program will be determined during negotiations with the Government of Turkey. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in San Diego, California. Other sole source requests identified in the Letter of Request are Raytheon Company in McKinney, Texas, and L-3 Communications Systems - West in Salt Lake City, Utah. The purchaser requested offsets. At this time, offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale may require multiple trips for U.S. contractor representatives to Spain and potentially deployed locations to provide initial launch, recovery, and maintenance support.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. All defense articles and services have been approved for release by the USAF foreign disclosure office.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) A400M Atlas transport aircraft visited Japan during 23-25 October 2015. The aircraft landed at Miho Base (Tottori prefecture) of the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF). Crew from 70 Squadron and 24 Squadron based in RAF Brize Norton met with counterparts in the JASDF 403 Squadron of the 3rd Tactical Airlift Wing. This was the first time for an RAF aircraft to land in a JASDF base. During the stay at Miho Airbase, JASDF and RAF crew exchanged opinions about their aircrafts.

Squadron Leader Stu Patton, Captain of the flight, commented:

I feel privileged to visit Japan. From start to finish, it has been a phenomenal experience. The crew had an excellent opportunity to learn about capabilities of JASDF aircraft and have been honoured by the hospitality offered by our hosts at Miho Airbase. We are in different parts of the world, but we share a similar culture as air transport officers. I look forward to working even closer with Japanese colleagues as their new C-2 transport aircraft comes into service in the near future.

This is also the first time for the A400M Atlas to fly to the Far East. Before coming to Japan, the aircraft and crew visited locations including Subang (Malaysia) and Seoul for the Aerospace and Defence Exhibition.